Extreme health risk from wildfire smoke shuts down outdoor activities for Windsor-Essex

Air Quality Ontario puts the Windsor region, Chatham, London and Sarnia at the highest health-risk category for Friday and Saturday.

Municipalities across Windsor-Essex have cancelled outdoor programs, closed facilities and urged residents to stay indoors as wildfire smoke continues to blanket the region. Forecasts expect air quality to remain at the highest possible health risk through Saturday. Wildfire smoke remains widespread throughout the southwestern corner of the province with Air Quality Ontario putting the Windsor region, Chatham, London and Sarnia at the highest risk category for Friday and Saturday on its Air Quality Health Index.

The 10+ ranking indicates conditions that pose health risks to everyone, not just vulnerable groups. Environment Canada issued an Orange air-quality warning for Windsor-Essex, advising that poor conditions are expected to persist into the weekend with little improvement through Saturday. Deteriorating conditions prompted municipalities throughout the region to scale back or suspend outdoor activities.

Windsor extended service adjustments through Friday, closing outdoor pools, sports fields, cancelling park programs and moving summer day camps indoors. The city shut down Adventure Bay Family Water Park and the Windsor international Aquatic and Training Centre. Experience Windsor events were also cancelled, including a free swim at Remington Booster pool and Wheels Night at City Hall Square.

Peche Island tours are also suspended. In Amherstburg , officials cancelled all Open Air activity for the weekend. It will keep outdoor facilities open but cancelled all public programming.

The town also joined Kingsville and Leamington in enacting a temporary fire ban because of the air quality. Kingsville invited the public to the Kingsville Arena and the local library branch to escape the smoke. Lakeshore temporarily closed its town hall, marina and operations centre as well as outdoor recreational facilities.

Summer day camp programming will be held at the Atlas Tube Recreation Centre and Comber Community Centre. The Woodslee day camp was cancelled. Related Wildfire smoke prompts air quality warning for Windsor-Essex Detroit air quality worst in world, thanks to wildfire smoke: global ranking Friday’s Concert in the Park and Junior Park Ranger program were also cancelled.

The Windsor- Essex County Health Unit advised residents to avoid strenuous outdoor activities, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible and use air conditioning or air filtration systems if available. Anyone who must spend extended periods outdoors should consider wearing an N95 respirator to reduce exposure to fine particulate matter. Although older adults, infants, young children, pregnant women and people with heart or lung disease are at the greatest risk, public health officials stress that the current conditions can affect anyone.

dspalding@postmedia.com